“I love your eye color! You’re not afraid of me, are you?” She giggled, her voice light and soft, full of happiness.
Chasen seemed a bit taken back by the girl. “Who are you?” he asked cautiously.
The girl giggled again and looked around Chasen so she could see Hunter. “Are you not going to come and see me? I’ve been waiting for you.”
Chasen growled threateningly and stood in front of Hunter, fully blocking her view of him. The girl straightened up and laughed even more. She covered her mouth with her hand and looked into the chocolate eyes in front of her. “You really are protective over him, aren’t you?”
Chasen looked at the petite girl in front of him. Her green hair flowed behind her, and her eyes were a deep emerald color. She looked to be in her early twenties, and she was very short, maybe only five feet tall. Despite her small stature, power emanated from her. He watched her tilt her head to the side, and she studied him as another giggle escaped from her mouth.
She effortlessly leaped into the air, landing on his shoulders. She gazed down at the chocolate eyes looking up at her, laughing at his shocked face. “Nothing can get past you, right?” She giggled again as she watched his eyes darken.
Chasen quickly jolted backward, and the girl gently leaped back down to the ground, landing so softly, as if she was carried by the air.
Hunter put a hand on Chasen to stop him from retaliating. This girl didn’t seem like she was there to hurt them. He patted Chasen and smiled before he walked beside him. “You’ve been waiting for me? Why? Who are you?”
The girl beamed, leaning forward again and placing her hands behind her back. “My name is Fujin,” she introduced herself, her sweet voice still carrying the hint of a giggle.
“Hmph, well, that’s your name. What are you? And what do you want with him?” Chasen growled out protectively. He didn’t know where this nimble creature came from, but she emitted a strong power, something he hadn’t come in contact with before, and she had business with Hunter. She added up to trouble in his eyes … and no one was going to hurt his brother.
For the first time, a small frown formed on her lips. Her deep green eyes looked down at the ground and she kicked at the grass uncomfortably. “Okay, don’t freak out, please.” She returned her gaze to the two men, who were waiting for her response. “I’m a …” she sighed and clenched her eyes shut. “I’m a wind demon.” She heard a low, threatening snarl in front of her and she winced. The storm-cloud eyes looked at her with interest while the dark, hershey-brown ones glared at her angrily.
“What do you want with him, ‘demon’?” Chasen asked in a demeaning tone.
Fujin looked at Chasen and bit her lip. “Well, you don’t have to be so grumpy with me, Mr. Bear. I didn’t even do anything.” She folded her arms across her chest and furrowed her brows at Chasen. Everyone gave demons a hard time, but this bear was one of the grumpiest she’d met.
“Easy, Chasen,” Hunter said gently. He looked into the shining emeralds and took a step forward. “What is it that you want with me?”
A sweet smile formed on the girl’s face and she took a shy step forward, looking at Hunter. “I have come for you, Hunter. I’m here to be your partner.” The girl giggled as she watched his confused face in front of her.
“I’m sorry. My partner?” Hunter asked, making sure he’d heard her right. He watched as the small girl walked closer to him.
“Yes, Hunter. I’m your partner. From here on out, we will fight together.” Fujin lifted up in the air, and Hunter’s eyes widened as she planted her lips on his.
CHAPTER FOUR
Awarm gust of air raced through Hunter. The girl pulled away from his lips and stood there smiling at him. Hunter took a small step back and studied the girl. What was going on? He turned and looked at Chasen, whose menacing eyes were fixed on her. Something rippled through him, and a warmth ignited inside him.
Hello … Hunter.
Hunter looked at the girl, shocked. Her voice had just rung in his head. “What did you do? How are you able to mindlink with me?”
The girl giggled. “You’re not at all like I imagined.” She smiled as she looked up at him. “I’ve given you a gift, Hunter. I’m the one who controls the element of air. Just as your mother controls fire and your sister controls water, you now control air. I’m not like a deity, though. I’m not your summon, Hunter. I’m your partner.”
“I can control the wind now?” Hunter lifted his gaze. He connected with the new warmth inside him and twirled his fingers around, feeling the wind obey him. “This is amazing.”
“Time out, demon. One, why would a demon be his partner? Why would you gift him? And when you say partner, what doyou mean exactly?” Chasen continued to glare at the girl with distrust.
Fujin laughed. “Grumpy Bear, you’re very protective, aren’t you?”
Hunter chuckled and smirked at Chasen with a shrug. “I think Grumpy Bear fits.”
“First misconception, not all demons are evil. A dark fairy is just a dark fairy, but that doesn’t mean they’re evil, right? The demons are divided. I am against this demon war. I’ve chosen to fight on the side of balance. I’m working with the other deities who are trying to restore balance, like your family's summons. I agreed to give Hunter the gift of air. And when I said partner, I meant partner, like what you two are. I will always be by Hunter’s side now. Just how the deities who gifted your mother and sister are connected, I am also connected to him.” Fujin looked over at Hunter. “You can feel me inside you, can’t you? You can also mindlink to me now.”
Hunter nodded his head.
“So why did you kiss him?” Chasen still didn’t trust this small creature.
Fujin giggled. “Grumpy Bear, are you jealous?” She raised her hand and covered her mouth as she laughed. “That wasn’t a kiss. Well, not technically. That was me gifting him my element.” Her green eyes shined with laughter as she looked into Chasen's rich, dark eyes.
